I Feel Love

June 19, 2023
Journalist Nuwer (Poached) presents a thorough overview of MDMA and its place in contemporary psychedelic drug use and research. Popularly known as ecstasy or molly, and the drug of choice for raves since the 1980s, MDMA induces feelings of euphoria and empathy and has shown to be a possibly effective treatment for PTSD and alcoholism, the author writes. Nuwer, who used MDMA to help her cope with social isolation during the pandemic, takes a deep dive into the substance’s history, investigates its possible prosocial benefits, and traces attitudes and policies surrounding its use, including the discovery of its therapeutic benefits in the 1970s and its 1985 prohibition amid the war on drugs. Drawing on interviews with users and their families, researchers, and drug activists, Nuwer provides vivid snapshots of those for whom the drug was miraculous—helping some, for instance, to rediscover previously suppressed memories or more fully experience emotions—and those for whom it was deadly. While skeptics may question her reliance on some sources who advocate its decriminalization, Nuwer provides a nuanced, well-researched look at the drug’s “potential for both ill and good.” Following Michael Pollan’s groundbreaking exploration of LSD and other psychedelics in How to Change Your Mind, this will enrich the cultural, legal, and medical conversation around drugs. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel, Goderich and Bourret.

Starred review from June 1, 2023

Science journalist Nuwer's (Poached) heavily researched book focuses on the psychedelic drug MDMA, also known as molly or ecstasy. The book examines the drug's history, which goes back to 1912, and its applications ranging from therapeutic to recreational. Viewing MDMA through multiple lenses (culture, politics, science, and society), Nuwer debunks common myths and cites numerous MDMA studies, particularly recent research indicating that MDMA can relieve the effects of trauma, depression, eating disorders, and more. The author conducted interviews with MDMA users, medical professionals, and scientists to back up her research and for anecdotal information. Although there are a few digressions into such topics as early Christianity and reasons people seek mind-altering substances, the book's information is current and accurate. Chapters, averaging 20 pages each, include endnotes, but there is no bibliography. While plenty has been written about MDMA over the years, this book summarizes and updates earlier works. Written in narrative style, Nuwer's treatise is most effective as standard nonfiction for the unscientific reader. VERDICT Will likely appeal to high school students and adults interested in pharmacology, treatment options for mental illness, and psychedelic drugs.--Laurie Selwyn

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from April 15, 2023
A sobering and eye-opening look at the psychedelic drug MDMA and how people's quest for healing persists through the generations. Science writer Nuwer, author of Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking, begins by noting how MDMA, aka ecstasy, started out as one of the most restricted Schedule I drugs. Now, it is on the way to being FDA approved for use in a therapeutic setting for individuals who struggle with a plethora of mental health problems. The author offers numerous memorable firsthand accounts of using MDMA in various settings such as raves, in therapy, recreationally, and in many other scenarios, exemplifying the various benefits and drawbacks of the drug in the quest for connection. Nuwer effectively brings us into a community of people who have dedicated their lives to the drug, fashioning a colorfully curated story of its therapeutic uses and how it fits into the larger narrative of health care reform. One of the overarching themes of the book is the need for effective regulation of MDMA and other drugs, which would ensure a safe outlet to those who choose to use them as part of a treatment program. Throughout the book, Nuwer presents studies that show the potential advantages of using MDMA in a therapeutic setting to help individuals, such as veterans, autistic adults with social anxiety, and those struggling from alcoholism, heal from their trauma and go into the world with fresh perspectives on how to manage their mental well-being. Although research on how MDMA interacts within the human brain is still early in development, it is paving the way for significant changes in how people heal from a host of mental issues. Even though MDMA has a tumultuous road ahead, the community that stands behind the drug continues to demonstrate its positive impact in many people's lives. Pair this with Michael Pollan's This Is Your Mind on Plants. An illuminating, myth-free exploration of mental health from a unique perspective.

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